LOXLEY, Ala. — The town of Loxley lost a great friend last month. Lawrence H. Schmieding died Monday, Nov. 16 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark.

Who was Lawrence H. Schmieding and why was he important?

Well, if it weren’t for Schmieding, the town would probably not have the Civic Center it has today.

“He had been spending about half the year here in Loxley,” Mayor Billy Middleton recalled. “He came in (to my office) and said he wanted to do something for the town.”

Middleton said he asked Schmieding what he had in mind. “A building,” was his response, Middleton said. Middleton added that Schmieding had only two conditions — that there be a summer program at the building for youngsters (the town sponsors a summer program every year) and the building be used for senior citizens. The town’s active senior citizen program operates from the building.

The town had acquired the land for what was to become the Municipal Park, and Middleton says that when plans were not to Schmieding’s liking he had his own architects come up with the multipurpose building.

“I think it cost a half-million dollars back then,” said Middleton. That was in 1999, and since then the town park, ball fields a walking trail and children’s playground have sprung up around Schmieding’s gift to Loxley, the Civic Center.

“There is something going on in that building all the time,” said Middleton.

“Thank you, Mr. Schmieding, for your kindness and your contributions to your second home, we will remember you always,” wrote Civic Center Director Joey Knight in a prepared statement.